Ukraine mourns victims of heavy Russian attack and promises response with underground weapons production

POLTAVA, Ukraine — Funeral services were held Saturday for the victims of one of the deadliest Russian airstrikes since the war began in Ukraine, while Ukraine's president vowed to boost domestic arms production by creating underground weapons factories.

Funerals were held in the eastern Ukrainian city of Poltava for the victims of a Russian missile attack on a military training ground that left more than 50 people dead and more than 300 injured.

Hundreds of mourners, including grieving families, local residents and officials, gathered for the solemn ceremony at the city's Assumption Cathedral, about 350 kilometers southeast of Kyiv. Weeping relatives, many holding red carnations, stood outside the church by coffins draped in yellow and blue Ukrainian flags. An air raid siren sounded during the service.

Residents knelt in silent remembrance as hearses carrying the victims passed by on their way to a military cemetery outside the city where they were to be buried.

Russia has intensified its missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities in recent weeks, targeting energy infrastructure across the country and causing deadly attacks on residential areas.

The attacks underscore Moscow's far-reaching capabilities as Ukraine braces for what is likely to be another harsh winter as Russia continues to wreak havoc on Ukraine's power grid, knocking out around 70 percent of generating capacity and disrupting heat and water supplies.

Explosions thundered over the Ukrainian capital overnight as several Russian combat drones were intercepted by the city's air defenses. No injuries or serious damage were reported.

The Ukrainian Air Force said 67 drones were launched over the country overnight and air defenses were active in 11 regions. 58 drones were shot down and three others were destroyed by electronic weapons systems, it said.